Quick and Easy Dry Rub Recipe for Chicken
This dry rub recipe for chicken is my absolute favorite rub. It is the best combination of sweet and spice, and is used whenever the smoker is fired up. With the different combination of seasonings added, depending on your preference for sweet or spicy, it can be modified to your liking. This recipe can also be doubled or even tripled, so your cupboard is always full of rub whenever you need it!
What Does a Dry Rub Consist Of
A dry rub is very simple. It consists of spices, seasonings, sugar and salt to make a rub that is dry, not wet.
Is Sugar Necessary
Sugar is a common additive to a rub to help balance the spicy and salt flavors. It also increases the overall flavor of your meat, and gives your finished product a nice brown crust.
What is the Difference Between Dry Rub and Seasoning
Seasoning and dry rub seem very similar, but there is a difference. Seasonings are the typical cabinet items you have such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. These are added before and after the cooking process to enhance flavors. Dry rubs are a combination of salt, sugar and spices, and are added to your meat of choice, before cooking. When cooking with a rub, it is added in large quantities, covering the whole meat.
Ingredients Needed
The list of ingredients for this rub may seem large, however, these are common ingredients, and I promise, it is worth it. In fact, I would highly recommend making a double batch!
Smoked Paprika
Onion Powder
Kosher Salt
Brown Sugar
Chili Powder
Cumin
Garlic Powder
Dried Mustard
Black Pepper
Dried Oregano
Dried Ground Thyme
How to Prepare a Dry Rub
Even though the list of ingredients is longer, making a rub really is the simplest task. Grab yourself a bowl, some measuring spoons, and that is it. Add your ingredients and whisk until combined.
How to Use Dry Rub on Chicken
Cooking with a dry rub is very simple! The one rule you must follow is ensuring you put enough rub on your meat. In fact, the more rub, the better! Below is a picture of a spatchcock chicken with the dry rub recipe. Before putting the chicken on the smoker, I spray the chicken with extra virgin olive oil. This helps the rub stick to your meat. Then, apply the rub on all parts of your meat, and it is ready to cook! To learn more on the process to spatchcock a chicken, read the blog post here: The Best Smoked Spatchcock Chicken.
How to Store
Any air tight container, such as a mason jar, works great for storing the mixture.
Dry Rub for Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 tbsp Smoke Paprika
- 1.5 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1.5 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 2.5 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2.5 tsp Chili Powder
- 2.5 tsp Cumin
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1.5 tsp Dried Mustard
- 3/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 3/4 tsp Dried Oregano
- 3/4 tsp Dried Ground Thyme
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined.
- Apply liberally to chicken, or meat of choice.
- Store in a mason jar, or other container.
